Are you having a hard time finding a pair of shoes that can fit your child’s extra wide feet? Do you try several different shoe styles and shoe brands but they all end up being too narrow for your child’s feet? Finding a pair of shoes for a child with extra wide feet can surely be a frustrating and time-consuming experience, especially nowadays when companies are having a hard time restocking their shoes. I am going to show you a list of the best kids’ shoes in extra wide width based on my many years of shoe fitting experience.
One of the reasons I love fitting children’s shoes is that it allows me to work with children, and I take what I do very seriously since I truly believe that wearing the correct type of shoes can be life-changing.
My Experience Fitting Children’s Shoes – Over a Decade of Shoe Fitting Experience!
I have been fitting children’s shoes for the last 10 years, and the shoe store where I work specializes in helping children with “complex” foot shapes such as extra wide feet and high insteps. We carry a large range of shoes that are available in extra wide widths (XW), since we have a large number of children with extra wide feet and also children who require orthotics to be fitted inside their shoes, which usually require an extra wide shoe (orthotics take a lot of space inside the shoes).
I recently found out why parents have such a hard time finding shoes for their kids with extra wide feet. While I was at the shopping mall, I went to check out what type of shoe selection some of the most popular stores such as Nordstrom, Footlocker, and Finish Line had. The selection of shoes that they offered was very limited, but what surprised me the most was that not a single of those stores offered kids’ shoes in extra wide widths (XW).
That’s when I decided to go to a local New Balance store, since New Balance manufactures some of the best shoes for kids with extra wide feet. To my surprise, the New Balance store did not have a single kids’ shoe style available in extra wide widths.
How was it possible that the best shoe brand for kids with extra wide feet did not offer a single shoe style in extra wide widths? It is true that most people shop online now, but some families still like to have their children’s shoes properly fitted at their local shoe store.
My point is that I understand why parents all across the country struggle to find shoes for their kids with extra wide feet. The good news is that stops today since I am going to provide you with a selection of the best kids’ shoes in extra wide width.
Keep in mind that providing your child with shoes that are too narrow can lead to your child developing several foot issues that range from blisters, calluses, and corns to general foot and leg pain.
What Makes the Shoes I Recommend Effective for Extra Wide Feet?
One of the most common mistakes that parents make is to assume that once they find a shoe that is labeled as extra wide (XW), that shoe is going to automatically fit the shape of their child’s extra wide feet. It is true that a shoe that is labeled as extra wide has higher chances of fitting an extra wide foot, however, there are other three key features that your kids’ shoes must provide:
1️⃣ Extra Depth: I can’t emphasize enough how important this feature is. Shoes that provide extra depth allow the child’s feet to fit deeply inside the shoes, preventing the top part of the child’s feet from rubbing against the top part of the shoes. Let’s take a look at the difference between a shoe that provides extra depth versus one that doesn’t. Do you notice how the New Balance shoe on the right is a lot deeper than the Nike shoe on the left?
2️⃣ Rounder Toe-Boxes: This feature is going to prevent your child’s toes from rubbing against one another or the side of the shoes. Do you notice how much rounder the toe-box of the New Balance shoe is compared to the Saucony one?
3️⃣ This feature makes it easier for parents and children to get their shoes on and off. Children with chubby feet have a hard time slipping into shoes that don’t easily open. You will notice that the shoes I recommend open up widely, which makes it easier for children and parents to get the shoes on and off.
I guess my point is that finding a pair of shoes that are labeled as extra wide is complicated enough since most shoe stores don’t seem to carry them. However, finding a pair of shoes that provide extra depth and rounder toe-boxes is even harder, since shoes don’t come labeled that way.
The good news is that I know which shoe styles provide extra depth and rounder toe-boxes from having fitted them before, and I will describe them shortly.
How to Retrieve Your Child’s Exact Foot Length and Shape
I don’t want you to waste a lot of time and money by having to return your kids’ shoes back and forth, so let me ask you this question: Are you 100% sure that you know your child’s exact foot size? If you do, then go ahead and scroll down to see a selection of the best shoes for kids with extra wide feet. However, if you are not totally sure then I recommend that you start by reading another article that I created that is going to show you the simplest, yet most effective way to figure out your child’s foot size from home:
How to Measure Your Kids’ Foot – 2 Simple Steps to Determine Foot Length and Foot Width
In that article I help parents determine their child’s exact foot size and whether the child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet. I also will be able to tell you whether your child has a high instep or not.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at a selection of the best kids’ shoes in extra wide width. All of the shoe styles described below can be used for everyday wear as they are supportive, lightweight, and durable.
I only review shoes that I have fitted before, as that is the only way for me to tell how well-made the shoes are, the amount of support that they provide, and how they fit. Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.
The Best Kids’ Shoes in Extra Wide Width
These are my go-to shoe styles for kids with extra wide feet. In addition to being available in extra wide widths, these shoes provide extra depth and rounder toe-boxes, which makes them ideal for children with high insteps.
Toddler Shoe Sizes (0 to 10)
- Available in medium, wide and extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Hook and loop closure
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide and extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Hook and loop closure
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (accommodates high insteps)
- Breathable textile lining and cushioned insole
- Double velcro straps for easy on and off adjustability
- Padded tongue and collar for added comfort
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (accommodates high insteps)
- Canvas upper
- Toe cap is durable for early steps
- Double velcro straps
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- APMA approved
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (accommodates high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Mesh upper for durability and comfort
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Mesh upper for durability and comfort
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Hook and loop closure system for easy on and off
- Synthetic and engineered mesh upper
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Hook and loop closure system for easy on and off
- Synthetic and engineered mesh upper
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Leather and mesh upper for durability and breathability
- APMA Certified
- Traction pods on the outsole for serious grip
- EVA midsole for lightweight feel
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Leather and mesh upper
- Non-marking traction pods to help improve stability
- APMA approved
- Toe cap for extra durability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Breathable textile lining is effective in protecting your child’s feet from micro-organisms
- Hook and loop closure
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Breathable textile lining is effective in protecting your child’s feet from micro-organisms
- Hook and loop closure
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Leather and mesh upper
- Mesh collar and tongue are padded with foam for a great fit and added comfort
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Leather and mesh upper
- Mesh collar and tongue are padded with foam for a great fit and added comfort
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
Little and Big Kid Shoe Sizes (10.5 to 7)
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Hook and loop closure system for easy on and off
- Mesh collar and tongue are padded with foam for a comfortable fit
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Synthetic and engineered mesh upper
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Synthetic and engineered mesh upper
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Breathable textile lining is effective in protecting your child’s feet from micro-organisms
- Velcro closure
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Breathable textile lining is effective in protecting your child’s feet from micro-organisms
- Velcro closure
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Mesh upper for durability and comfort
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Hook and loop closure system for easy on and off
- Mesh collar and tongue are padded with foam for a comfortable fit
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Leather and mesh upper
- Mesh collar and tongue are padded with foam for a comfortable fit
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Hook and loop closure system for easy on and off
- Synthetic and engineered mesh upper
- Durable rubber outsole designed to withstand wear-and-tear
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Lace-up closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Leather/mesh upper
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Lace-up closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Leather/mesh upper
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- Lace-up closure
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- Lace-up closure
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Synthetic and mesh upper
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Dual-layer midsole construction featuring top-bed foam cushioning and underfoot Fresh Foam X
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- Lace-up closure
- Mesh upper is lightweight and breathable
- Lightweight EVA foam cushioning in the midsole and padded heel increases comfort
- Firm heel counter
- Supportive heel for active kids
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Lace-up closure
- Dual-layer midsole construction featuring top-bed foam cushioning and underfoot Fresh Foam X
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
Parents love how these shoes come with supportive outsoles but they are lightweight and flexible at the same time.
All of these shoes listed under “Little and Big Kid sizes” are capable of accommodating an orthotic, just remember to remove the original insole of the shoes before placing the orthotic inside.
Unsure About What Shoe Size You Should Order?
In each of the descriptions of the shoes, I indicate whether you need to order a half size or a whole size bigger than your child’s current foot size to provide the correct amount of growing room.
*A half a size bigger translates to 3/16 of an inch or 0.4 centimeters of space between your child’s longest toe and the end of the shoes.
*A whole size bigger translates to 3/8 of an inch or 0.8 centimeters of space between your child’s longest toe and the end of the shoes.
If after trying any of these shoes you still feel like the shoes are not wide enough for your child’s extra wide feet, do not jump the gun and return them just yet. These are the best kids’ shoes in extra wide width, and there are no other shoe choices out there that are wider than these shoes. What I recommend doing is trying to stretch the shoes by using a shoe stretcher. I explain in more detail how shoe stretchers work in another article called:
Do Shoe Stretchers Work? – The Solution to Kids with Wide and Extra Wide Feet
Additional Resources for Children with Extra Wide Feet
Below you can find a list of additional resources I created that describe the best footwear for children with extra wide feet:
Sandals for Extra Wide Feet – The Best Summer Sandal for Kids with Extra Wide Feet!
Extra Wide Boots for Kids – Finding an Extra Wide Boots That Fits!
Extra Wide Children’s Dress Shoes – The Only Styles Available for Extra Wide Feet!
Are Any Other Shoe Choices Available?
I have written other articles that describe the best dress shoes and seasonal footwear for kids with extra wide feet. Please do not hesitate to contact me directly if you are having trouble finding a particular shoe style to fit the shape of your child’s extra wide feet, it’s highly likely that I have fitted that shoe before and I will help you find it: fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
Have you found a particular shoe style that has worked well in accommodating the shape of your child’s extra wide feet? Please share your findings below so other families can benefit from your experiences.
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